Dems will vote on just middle class tax cuts, Hoyer says  —  Steny Hoyer, the number two in the House Dem leadership, told Democrats at a caucus meeting this morning that they would get to vote this year on just extending the Bush tax cuts for the middle class, a senior Dem aide tells me …

Fox News Chief Blasts NPR ‘Nazis’  —  Roger Ailes slams Jon Stewart as a conservative-basher, explains why he rode to Juan Williams' rescue—and sees NPR as taxpayer-funded propaganda.  Part II of Howard Kurtz's interview.  —  When Jon Stewart was appearing on the O'Reilly Factor a few weeks back …

CARVILLE: OBAMA NEEDS A PAIR  —  Speaking to reporters Thursday, Democratic strategist James Carville dropped this one-liner: “If Hillary gave up one of her balls and gave it to Obama, he'd have two.”  —  The quote was first noted by Tribune reporter Mike Memoli on his Twitter account.

Controversy over pat-downs, body scans lands at DIA  —  Despite ongoing criticism from some Washington lawmakers and many travelers, Transportation Security Administration chief John Pistole refused Wednesday to back off the agency's position that tougher airport screening techniques are needed to counter evolving threats.

The Ghailani verdict and American justice  —  A federal jury in New York yesterday returned a guilty verdict against accused Terrorist Ahmed Ghailani on one count of conspiracy to blow up a government building, a crime which entails a sentence of 20 years to life, but acquitted …

Pence: Don't Forget Social Issues; Decision on Presidential Run ‘Sometime Early Next Year’  —  ABC News' Rick Klein reports:  —  Rep. Mike Pence this week left his post in House leadership, with the wide presumption that he'll run for president or for governor of Indiana in 2012.

Unemployment Insurance Bill Fails in House; Needed 2/3 Vote Under Suspension  —  As I mentioned this morning, the House tried today for a three-month extension of expiring unemployment benefits, which would have continued them until Feb. 28, 2011.  This was called under suspension of the rules …

House fails to eliminate NPR funding  —  The House on Thursday voted to move forward on legislation without voting on a proposal put forth by Republicans to defund NPR.  —  Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the next majority leader, said the vote demonstrates that Democrats “are still not ready to listen” …

Pelosi holds ground at W.H. meeting  —  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told President Barack Obama that House Democrats remain firmly committed to allowing Bush-era tax cuts expire for earners making more than $250,000 — a move that could complicate the administration's efforts to reach a compromise with Republicans.

The Unorthodox Frontrunner  —  Viewed in isolation, Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential candidacy is doomed.  —  In 2008, Romney earned himself a reputation as a flip-flopper as he dramatically attempted to reshape himself as a stanch conservative despite having previously staked out liberal positions …

Vote on Whether This Couple Gets an Abortion  —  The Arnolds are having a baby.  Unless the public votes to have the child aborted.  Meet the couple behind Birthornot.com, where “you can vote and choose whether we abort or keep our unborn child.”  —  Pete and Alisha Arnold, both 30 …

Counsel Recommends Censure in Rangel Ethics Case  —  Punishment, If Carried Out, Would Be Most Serious Shy of Expulsion; Longtime N.Y. Rep. Found Guilty of 11 Ethics Violations  —  The House ethics committee's chief counsel recommended Thursday that veteran Rep. Charles Rangel be censured …

Mitch McConnell moves to block end of year spending bill  —  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that he will oppose bipartisan efforts in his own conference to craft an omnibus budget bill for the coming year—a measure that promises cuts as deep as $26 billion from President Barack Obama's requests.

Have Scott Brown and Ron Wyden figured out the way forward on health care?  —  The GOP's slogan on health-care reform has, till now, been “repeal and replace.”  But they don't have the votes for either.  What they might have the votes for is reform that, maybe, one day, if all goes well, could lead to replacement.

Sanford Airport to opt out of TSA screening  —  Reporter: Ken Tyndall  —  The backlash continues over those new TSA screening measures, and now one Central Florida airport has decided to go with a private security screening firm.  —  Orlando Sanford International Airport has decided to opt out from TSA screening.

Dear Airline, I'm Leaving You  —  But don't feel too bad.  It's not you, it's me.  Or rather, it's the TSA.  —  I'm not going to lie.  It's come between us.  If I have to let someone else see me naked in order to be with you—well, I'm just not that kinky.  And deep down, I don't think you are either.

Sen. Rockefeller: FCC Should Take FOX News, MSNBC Off Airwaves  —  SEN. JAY ROCKEFELLER (D-WV): “There's a little bug inside of me which wants to get the FCC to say to FOX and to MSNBC: ‘Out.  Off.  End.  Goodbye.’ It would be a big favor to political discourse; to our ability to do our work …

Ohhh, America, you're so strong  —  Oooh, you're so strong, baby, so handsome.  You're the greatest.  —  I'm talking about you, America.  You're . . . why, you're exceptional!  —  Does anyone else think there's something a little insecure about a country that requires its politicians to constantly declare how exceptional it is?

D'oh: Sen. Dodd's Tweet of the Day Update: Dodd's office sends e-mail  —  This is from Corruptocrat Sen. Chris Dodd's official Twitter feed.  —  Leave your best guess about who the message was meant for and what “sh*t” his office is talking about...Angelo Mozilo and one last sweetheart deal?

Clinton critical of religious freedom in Europe  —  WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized Wednesday the state of religious freedom in Europe, as Washington highlighted policies and attitudes toward Muslim veils and Islam as a whole.

READ the 20th Amendment: New Republican Senators Violating US Constitution  —  A handful of newly elected Republican US Senators have written to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid trying to undo the Constitutional authority of other elected incumbent US Senators.  —  That's right.

DeLay Begins His Defense With A Big Mistake  —  Tom DeLay's lawyers began his defense yesterday by helping prove the prosecution's case.  —  DeLay, the former Republican House majority leader, is standing trial in Texas on allegations that he orchestrated a money swap.

Are GOP Leaders Quietly Trying to Axe Office of Congressional Ethics?  —  Rep. Dreier Called Office Three Days After GOP Won Majority  —  Is the House GOP Targeting Ethics Office?  —  “If you drain the swamp,” said Leonard, “all the crocodiles get nervous.”